Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

Community Heart and Vascular Hospital offers transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), an FDA-approved procedure appropriate for patients with aortic valve stenosis to replace their natural aortic valve without open heart surgery. Community is a leading provider of TAVR in Indiana, with more than 1,000 TAVRs completed at our multidisciplinary clinic that includes interventional cardiologists, CT surgeons, structural imaging cardiologists and perioperative structural heart sonographers.

If you have questions about the TAVR procedure and if it may be right for your condition, please call Community’s TAVR coordinator at 317-341-0176, or call 800-777-7775 to request an appointment.

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TAVR Explained

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement involves replacing the aortic valve with a prosthetic valve via the femoral artery in your leg (transfemoral), carotid artery or subclavian artery. TAVR is sometimes referred to as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Watch the video below featuring Sandeep Dube, MD, an interventional cardiologist, as he explains the minimally-invasive TAVR procedure. Learn about benefits for patients, patient signs and symptoms, who qualifies for the procedure, and what to expect in recovery.

Benefits of TAVR

  • Minimally-invasive procedure allows the aortic valve to be replaced with a new valve while the heart is still beating
  • Reduced healing time
  • Less time in the hospital
  • Restores quality of life
  • Excellent success rates

Why Choose Community Health Network for TAVR?

  • All patients are evaluated within our multidisciplinary valve clinic that includes interventional cardiologists, CT surgeons, structural imaging cardiologists and nursing.
  • Patient-centered approach to care.
  • Dedicated perioperative structural heart sonographers.
  • More than 1,000 TAVRs completed.
  • Consistent use of minimalist approach. This includes same-day admission, avoidance of invasive lines to include central venous and urinary catheters, light procedural sedation administered by an anesthesiologist, percutaneous access and closure, and a focus on mobilization. This leads to safe, next day discharge for the majority of our patients.
  • First to use "Enhanced Recovery After Surgery" approach to facilitate recovery and improve surgical outcomes.
  • Pre-operative nutrition screening and nutrition referrals to optimize recovery.

FAQ: Aortic Valve Stenosis

What causes aortic valve stenosis?
Aortic valve stenosis — or aortic stenosis — occurs when the heart’s aortic valve narrows. This narrowing prevents the valve from opening fully, which obstructs blood flow from your heart into your aorta and onward to the rest of the body. 

What are symptoms of aortic valve stenosis?
Symptoms include chest pain or chest tightness (angina), heart palpitations, dizziness and fainting, fatigue and shortness of breath, especially with exertion. 

Why is it important to treat aortic valve stenosis? Aortic valve stenosis may also lead to cardiac arrest or other more serious complications if left untreated. When aortic valve stenosis becomes severe and symptomatic, surgery is usually needed to replace the valve.

Why is TAVR a good choice to treat aortic valve stenosis?
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement replaces the natural aortic valve without open heart surgery. TAVR has a high success rate and helps patients improve their quality of life.